2004 Honda Pilot complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED BECAUSE IT WOULD CONTINUOUSLY BECOME STUCK. THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY MADE IT DIFFICULT TO ACCELERATE DUE TO THE ACCELERATOR BECOMING STUCK. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,761 UPDATED 08/19/13 *BF

MY 2004 PILOT EX-RES STARTED A FAINT WHINING NOISE AROUND 73K MILES. THE NOISE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY MORE PRONOUNCED WITH TIME/MILES. THE NOISE IS ONLY AUDIBLE WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL AND IN THIRD GEAR. AS SOON AS THE GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED THE NOISE DISAPPEARS. I HAVE 93K MILES ON THE ODOMETER AS OF MAY 2013 AND THE NOISE IS NOW A HIGH PITCHED WHINING NOISE; IT IS VERY ANNOYING AND EASILY AUDIBLE INSIDE THE CABIN EVEN WITH THE WINDOWS CLOSED. I TOOK IT TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP TO DIAGNOSE THIS NOISE AND THEY TOLD ME IT IS THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND THAT IT WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL WITH THE TRANSMISSION; THEY ADVISED ME NOT TO DO ANYTHING AT THIS TIME SINCE THE FLUID AND TRANSMISSION PRESSURE LINES ALL CHECKED OUT GOOD. I WAS SURPRISED TO HEAR THIS RECOMMENDATION FROM THE SERVICE ADVISER. I TAKE IMMACULATE CARE OF MY CAR WITH ON THE SPOT OIL/FILTER/TRANSMISSION/VTM-4 FLUID CHANGES USING HONDA OEM PARTS AND QUALITY MOTOR OIL. I AM CONCERNED ONE DAY MY PILOT WILL LEAVE ME AND MY FAMILY STRANDED ON THE ROAD WITH A HUGE BILL TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER. I HAVE 2 SMALL KIDS AND THIS IS THE LAST THING I NEED TO WORRY ABOUT; MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL TO INSTALL THE OIL JET KIT. I BELIEVE HONDA SHOULD FUSS UP ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND ISSUE A PROPER FIX TO ALL AFFECTED OWNERS, OTHERWISE LOTS OF PEOPLE WILL LOOK ELSEWHERE FOR THEIR NEXT VEHICLE. *TR

YESTERDAY MY HONDA PILOT STARTED ACTING IRREGULAR AS I WAS PULLING INTO A CONTROLLED INTERSECTION TURNING LEFT. MY PILOT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AS NORMAL AND LEFT ME STRANDED IN MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION AS ONCOMING TRAFFIC APPROACHED. TRAFFIC DID SLOW DOWN AND I SHIFTED INTO 2ND GEAR, AND THAT ALLOWED MY TO MOVE THROUGH SAFELY THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. NO ACCIDENT, JUST A ANGRY YOUNG MAN SHAKING HIS HAND AND SCREAMING THROUGH HIS WINDSHIELD. I CALLED HONDA AND OPEN A CASE # THIS MORNING. INTERESTINGLY, I CALL HONDA AND OPENED UP A CASE IN 2010, WITH SHUDDERING AND VIBRATION PROBLEMS AT 50-55 MPH. I BOUGHT NEW TIRES (ONLY 34K ON BRIDGESTONES), CHANGED DIFFERENTIAL FLUID ,VTM-4, EGR VALUE, EVEN HAD DRIVE SHAFT INSPECTED FOR VIBRATION, ANYTHING THAT WAS SUGGESTED TO ME. NOTHING FIXED ISSUE, SPOKE WITH SEVERAL OTHER PILOT OWNER (2003-2004) AND THEY SUGGESTED IT WAS NORMAL OPERATION AND THEIRS DOES THAT TOO. ONLY ITEM LEFT IN MY MIND WAS TORQUE CONVERTER. ASK HONDA FOR HELP. GAVE ME THE 3YRS/36,000 MILE SPEECH. NOW THE "D" INDICATION LIGHT FLASHES GREEN. INDICATING A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. TAKING TO DEALER THIS MORNING TO INSPECT. BEING VERY CAREFUL AT STOP AND GO LIGHTS. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ON MY 2004 HONDA PILOT WITH ONLY 157,000 MILES ON IT. THANKFULLY, IT WAS IN A PARKING GARAGE AND DID NOT CAUSE ANY INJURIES OR BLOCKED ROADWAYS OTHER THAN A BUSY PARKING GARAGE. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION SHAKES AND STUTTERS AS IF IT IS STALLING AT SPEEDS OF 35 TO 50 MILES AN HOUR. IT WILL NOT GO IN REVERSE OR FORWARD. ENGINE STARTS BUT IT WILL NOT GO. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SOLENOID WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. *TR

SEVERAL INCIDENTS OF GAS PEDAL STICKING UPON ACCELERATION. ON MAY 14, 2009, I INFORMED HONDA DEALERSHIP AND THEY DID A FUEL INDUCTION CLEANING SERVICE. HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THEN ON NOVEMBER 10, 2009, I INFORMED THE HONDA DEALER THAT GAS PEDAL CONTINUED TO STICK AND IT WAS HARD T PUSH THE PEDAL ALSO. DEALERSHIP CLEANED THROTTLE BODY AND PLATE. THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES AND I HAVE SEEN ON CUSTOMER HONDA WEBSITES THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD. MY WIFE AND I ARE BOTH IN OUR 70'S AND ARE WORRIED ABOUT AN ACCIDENT OCCURRING BECAUSE OF THE GAS PEDAL STICKING. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT SUDDENLY BECAME VERY HOT WHEN THE SEAT HEATER WAS TURNED ON. IT GOT SO HOT THAT I COULD FEEL IT BURNING MY SKIN THROUGH MY JEANS. AFTER I TURNED IT OFF THERE WAS A SLIGHTLY ACRID BURNING SMELL IN THE CAR. *TR

UNABLE TO REFUEL VEHICLE. FUEL PUMP SHUTS OFF AFTER 3/4 GALLON WHEN FILLING. DEALER REPLACED ORVR VALVE, BUT FIX DID NOT WORK. YESTERDAY I WAS ABLE TO PUMP ABOUT 2.5 GALLONS, BUT GAS BEGAN SPILLING OUT OF THE TANK. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE IGNITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE ENGINE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE SRS AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

NOTICED SLIGHT VIBRATION OF THE ENGINE WHILE SITTING IN DRIVER'S SEAT AT IDLE. I THOUGHT IT WAS AN IGNITION PROBLEM. NO ENGINE PROBLEMS WERE DIAGNOSED AT A REPAIR FACILITY. AT A LATER DATE WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS AT AN AUTHORIZED HONDA DEALER BEING SERVICED FOR AN UNRELATED NHTSA SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 12V-573, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT, SIDE, AND REAR ENGINE MOUNTS WERE BROKEN. I HAD THEM REPLACED AT MY OWN EXPENSE. I LATER READ ON THE INTERNET THAT THERE ARE AN ALARMING NUMBER OF PILOT OWNERS WITH SIMILAR MILEAGE REPORTING BROKEN ENGINE MOUNTS. THIS APPEARS TO BE A SERIOUS MANUFACTURER SAFETY DEFECT. A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED AND OWNERS WHO HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE ENGINE MOUNTS SHOULD BE REIMBURSED. *TR

HONDA SERVICE ADVISOR REVIEWED THE COMPLETED SHIFT INTERLOCK RECALL SERVICE WITH ME AND SAID THE FRONT AND SIDE ENGINE MOUNTS WERE BROKEN. HE INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THEY NEEDED REPAIR. COST TO REPAIR IS $435 FOR FRONT MOUNTS AND $220 FOR SIDE MOUNTS. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ENGINE MOUNT FAILURES REPORTED ON THIS WEBSITE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL AS A DESIGN/ENGINEERING DEFECT/FLAW AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED ON A RECALL AT HONDA'S EXPENSE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AUTOMATIC EXTERIOR DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT LOCKSMITH WHERE THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V573000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE SHIFTER INTERLOCK DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED PER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

THE METAL SEAT BRACKET SUPPORTING THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT FAILED WHEN I SAT DOWN IN THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT "HARD." THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT WHILE THIS PART COULD BE EASILY AND AFFORDABLE WELDED BACK TOGETHER, THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE METAL BRACKET AND SEAT DUE TO LIABILITY TO THE TUNE OF $1400. IF THE DEALERSHIP CAN'T WELD THE BRACKET BUT HAD TO REPLACE A FAILED PART THAT WOULD BE CRITICAL TO ONES SAFETY DURING A CRASH BECAUSE OF LIABILITY, WHY DOES HONDA NOT SEE THAT A SEAT THAT WAS NOT SUPPOSE TO FAIL DURING A CRASH, BUT FAILED UPON SITTING, THE PART SHOULD BE REPLACED AT HONDA'S EXPENSE. I AM STILL DRIVING AROUND WITH A SEAT THAT ROCKS. *TR

THE KEY WAS DIFFICULT TO INSERT INTO THE IGNITION. ONCE IN, THE KEY WAS THEN VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE. FURTHERMORE WILL NOT TURN AS IT IS STUCK IN BETWEEN OFF AND ACCESSORY POSITIONS. HOURS WERE SPENT JIGGLING, BRINGING A LOCKSMITH TO MAKE ATTEMPTS AT REMOVING WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE HONDA PILOT HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. THIS HAPPENED WITHIN 1 DAY OF A SERVICED RECALL FOR THE INTERLOCK LEVER WHICH INVOLVES THE IGNITION AND THE STEERING COLUMN SHIFTER. *TR

AT A TRAFFIC STOP EVERYTHING WA NORMAL, WHEN I ACCELERATED THE VEHICLE I NOTICED THAT THE D INDICATOR STARTED TO FLASH. BEFORE CONTACTING THE DEALERSHIP I DID A SEARCH ON LINE AND FOUND THAT MANY OTHER PILOT OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALER THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME 150.00 FOR THEM TO HOOK THE VEHICLE UP TO THEIR COMPUTERS. I NOW FOUND OUT THAT THE PROBLEM IS A SWITCH FOR THE FOURTH GEAR. MY VEHICLE RUNS GREAT AND SHIFTS VERY SMOOTHLY. MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER USE THIS VEHICLE TO GO BACK AND FORTH TO SCHOOL. IT APPEARS THAT HONDA HAS HAD OVER NINE YEARS TO FIX AND ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM, WEATHER YOU ARE THE FIRST OWNER OR NOT, AND IF YOU PURCHASED IT FROM A HONDA DEALER SHOULD NOT BE A CONSIDERATION. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

WENT TO DEALER FOR A RECALL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE, ALSO ASK DEALER TO CHECK FOR AN ISSUE ABOUT CAR MAKES A CLUNKING SOUND SOME WHERE IN FRONT ENGINE WHEN TURN RIGHT. THEY FOUND THE FRONT/RIGHT ENGINE MOUNT WAS BROKEN, NEED TO BE REPLACED BOTH OF THEM AND COST $820. I FOUND A LOT OF PILOT OWNERS HAS SAME ISSUE. I THINK HONDA SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS. *TR

WENT TO DEALER AND THEY SAID VEHICLE HAS BAD ENGINE MOUNTS, AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. NOTE THAT WE ALSO HAVE A 2003 ACURA MDX, AND THE DEALER ALSO TOLD US THAT SOME ENGINE MOUNTS NEEDS REPLACEMENT. WE CHECKED SOME BLOGS FOR ACURA MDX AND HONDA PILOT OWNERS, AND FOUND A LOT OF OWNERS WITH SAME ISSUES. SOME ARE BEING REPLACED EVERY TWO YEARS. WE OWNED A V6 TOYOTA FOR 15 YEARS, NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE. WE HOPE NHTSA WILL CHECK THIS, BECAUSE IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE TO OWNERS AND ACURA/HONDA WILL NEVER ADMIT. I'M SURE IF NHTSA WILL GET REPAIR RECORDS FOR THIS "ENGINE MOUNT" ISSUES, IT WILL BE A LOT. FROM WHAT I READ, THIS AFFECTS DRIVE SHAFTS DUE TO EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT OF THE ENGINE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG DEACTIVATES ON ITS OWN AS IF A SMALL CHILD IS SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT, BUT THE PASSENGER SEAT IS COMPLETELY EMPTY. *TR

PILOT ROLLED AWAY WHILE IT WAS PARKED, I HAD KEY IN MY HAND, IT HIT A CONCRETE FLOWER POT. DAMAGING MY RIGHT FENDER BUMPER MIRROR.POLICEMAN GOT INSIDE PILOT TOOK KEY IN AND OUT OF IGNITION SEVERAL TIMES,WHILE IT WAS IN GEAR. I DROVE THE CAR TO HONDA DEALERSHIP TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED. THEY ADMITTED IT SHOULD NOT DO THAT, BUT DID NOTHING TO HELP. AFTER HEARING OF RECALL IN JAN. I CONTACTED HONDA ABOUT THE INCIDENT TELLING THEM THEY SHOULD FIX MY PILOT SINCE IT WAS THERE FAULT THIS ACCIDENT HAPPENED. THEY HAD ME SEND THEM INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED. THE POLICE REPORT ECT.THEY HAD ME TAKE THE PILOT TO DEALERSHIP AND LEAVE IT 5 HOURS. WHEN HONDA CALLED ME BACK A WEEK LATER THEY REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE KEY DOES NOT COME OUT OF IGNITION WHEN DEALERSHIP HAD IT, IT DOES NOT DO THIS ALL OF THE TIME , BUT IT DID HAPPEN IN JULY 2012 LONG BEFORE I KNEW ABOUT RECALL AND I HAVE POLICE REPORT AND WITNESS TO PROVE IT DID. MY INSURANCE HAS GONE UP BECAUSE OF ACCIDENT PLUS I HAVE TO PAY DEDUCTIBLE, WHEN THIS WAS NOT MY FAULT. HONDA HAS RECALL ON HONDA SO HOW COULD THEY NOT BE RESPONSIBLE? COULD YOU PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS? *TR

WHILE WARMING UP CAR IN DRIVEWAY, I HAD TURNED ON THE SEAT HEATERS TO BOTH FRONT SEATS AND WENT INSIDE. WHEN I CAME OUT TO LEAVE ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER, THE DRIVERS SEAT WAS SMOKING AND MELTING THE TOP OF THE SEAT CUSHION. IT WAS ON FIRE. I QUICKLY SHUT OFF THE HEAT TO THE SEAT AND SMOTHERED THE SMOKING/MELTING SEAT. *TR

THE DRIVE SIDE SEAT WARMER GETS INCREDIBLY WARM AND FEELS AS THOUGH IT COULD BURN. CALLED HONDA FOR SERVICE, AND THE REPRESENTATIVE WAS VERY RUDE. HE SAID JUST DON'T USE IT. VERY CONCERNED FOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

THE SEAT HEATER GOT REALLY HOT IN ONE PLACE ON MY BACK. IT SLIGHTLY (LESS THAN A 1ST DEGREE BURN) BURNT MY BACK. ALSO, THE SEAT SMOKED. I HAD THE SEAT HEATER ON FOR 15 MINUTES. I NOTIFIED HONDA AND THE DEALER. THE DEALER TESTED THE SEAT FOR ONLY 10 MINUTES; AND, SAID IT DIDN'T SMOKE. I WAS ONE OF THE THE FIRST ONES INTO THE DEALER AND THE LAST ONE OUT (ELEVEN HOUR WAIT!) FOR A 10 MINUTE CHECK AND 2 RECALLS WHICH SHOULD HAVE TAKEN LESS TIME. I DIDN'T WANT TO GO BACK ANOTHER DAY TO HAVE IT CHECKED FOR 15 MINUTES (I HAVE A FAMILY); SO, I TOLD THE DEALER TO DISABLE THE SEAT HEATER SO THAT MY TODDLERS, MY WIFE AND I WON'T GET HURT ANY FURTHER OR HAVE A DISASTER WITH A POSSIBLE FIRE. THE DEALER DISABLED THE SEAT HEATER AS I REQUESTED. I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM HONDA (OF COURSE). *TR

THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT GOT EXTREMELY HOT UNDER THE RIGHT LEG. IT GOT SO INTENSE THAT I HAD TO TURN IT OFF FOR FEAR OF BURNING MY LEG. *TR

DRIVING ON FREEWAY TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY DIS-ENGAGED ( AS IF I SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL ). WHILE "COASTING" I WAS ATTEMPTING TO SAFELY PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. AFTER APPROXIMATELY FIVE SECONDS THE TRANSMISSION RE-ENGAGED AND WAS PERFORMING NORMALLY AGAIN. I TOOK SURFACE STREETS FOR THE TEN MILE TRIP HOME AND THE PROBLEM OCCURRED FOUR ADDITIONAL TIMES. *TR

DRIVER SEAT HEATER GETS UNBEARABLY HOT TO SIT ON, SO HOT FEELS LIKE BURNING SKIN THROUGH CLOTHING - SMELLS LIKE BURNING WAX, FIRE CONCERN AND SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

2004 HONDA PILOT SUV 9/9/2008 FRONT AC BLOWER RESISTOR REPLACED $230 (MILES 68,197, ALSO HAD 100 MILES BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY BUT WAS TOLD BY DEALER IT WAS NOT COVERED. 1/25/2013 (MILES 134,000) FRONT AC AIR MIX MOTOR REPLACED $501,REAR AC/HEAT DOES NOT WORK WAS STILL IN 100 MILE WARRANTY IT HAS A BAD BLOWER RESISTOR I STILL HAVE NOT REPLACED IT. TO TOP IT OFF WHEN IT RAINS MY DRIVER AND NOW FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR MATS ARE GETTING WET FROM THE UNDERNEATH THE PROTECTIVE MAT (MILES 105,000)! YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS ABOVE MATTER IS MOST APPRECIATED. *TR

WHEN TURNING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WARMER IT GOT EXTREMELY HOT. RECENTLY IT ACTUALLY BURNED THE SEAT FOAM AND BEGAN TO SMOKE. I WILL NOT USE IT ANYMORE FOR FEAR OF A FIRE. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING INTO THIS ISSUE. *TR

DRIVER SEAT HEATER GETS EXTREMELY HOT TO THE POINT THAT BURNS ARE POSSIBLE. AFRAID THAT A FIRE MAY OCCUR SO STOPPED USING. THERE APPEARS TO BE A WIDESPREAD OCCURRENCE WHEN SEARCHING THE INTERNET. NO RECALL BY HONDA. *TR

I PURCHASED A USED HONDA PILOT IN JANUARY 2012. I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SEAT HEATER WOULD GETS SO HOT THAT IT WILL ACTUALLY START TO BURN MY LEGS. THE HONDA DEALER SAID THAT IT WAS NOT AN ISSUE, THEY DID NOT FEEL IT GET OVERLY HOT. THEN ON DECEMBER 5, 2012 IT JUST SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. *TR

MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING ON CHRISTMAS EVE (DECEMBER 24, 2012) TO A DESTINATION ABOUT 65 MILES AWAY. I HAD THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER ON THE HIGH POSITION, AS IT IS QUITE COLD IN THIS PART OF THE COUNTRY. ALONG THE WAY, I NOTICED THAT MY RIGHT BUTTOCKS WAS GETTING EXTREMELY HOT, ALMOST TO THE POINT OF BURNING, BEFORE I TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER. IT WAS DARK WHEN WE REACHED OUR DESTINATION, AND IT WASN'T UNTIL TWO DAYS LATER WHEN WE RETURNED HOME, THAT I SAW A SCORCHED HOLE ABOUT 1.5 INCHES LONG AND 0.5 INCHES WIDE IN THE LEATHER DRIVER'S SEAT. REACHING MY FINGER DOWN INTO THE HOLE REVEALED A LOT OF CRUMBLING BLACK ASHES. ALTHOUGH WE DIDN'T EXPERIENCE AN ACTUAL FIRE, IT'S QUITE APPARENT THAT THERE IS A FIRE SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 HONDA PILOT DRIVER'S HEATED SEAT. IF WE HAD LEFT THE CAR RUNNING AND UNATTENDED WITH NO ONE SITTING ON THE SEAT (ALLOWING OXYGEN INTO THE SEAT), I SUSPECT THE SEAT WOULD HAVE EVENTUALLY ERUPTED IN FLAMES. IT WAS VERY, VERY HOT. *TR

VEHICLE SHUDDERS AT 45 MPH, MAKING A "WHOOSH' SOUND AND SLOWING ABRUPTLY, IF BRIEFLY. *TR

WE FIRST NOTICED IN OCT. 2012 THAT THE CARPET AND MAT FLOOR BOARDS ON BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES OF OUR CAR WERE WET WITH WATER. IT IS NOW DEC. 2012 AND THE PROBLEM HAS WORSENED. THE WET CARPET IS CAUSING A MILDEW SMELL IN OUR CAR WHICH WE CANNOT GET RID OF, AS THE CARPETS ARE GETTING WETTER EACH TIME IT RAINS. THE CAR ALSO FOGS UP CONSTANTLY DUE TO THE INSIDE MOISTURE, MAKING VISIBILITY EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. ONCE THE TEMPERATURE DROPS THE WET FLOORS ARE SURE TO FREEZE, THUS CAUSING ANOTHER HAZARD: SLIPPERY FEET NEAR THE BREAK AND ACCELERATOR. IT IS REASONABLE TO SUPPOSE THAT THERE WILL BE RUST AND EVENTUAL DETERIORATION IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED. THERE SEEMS TO BE A STRUCTURAL PROBLEM WITH THE CAR ON BOTH SIDES WHERE THERE IS WATER DRIPPING IN FROM POSSIBLY THE WHEEL WELL OR RIGHT ABOVE THE WHEEL WELL. IN LOOKING ON LINE, WE SEE SEVERAL HONDA PILOTS AND RIDGELINES WITH EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM, IMPROPER STRUCTURAL SEALS BREAKING DOWN AND CAUSING WATER TO DRIP ONTO THE FLOORBOARDS OF THE CAR. HONDA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM (WE CALLED OUR DEALERSHIP) BUT WILL ONLY FIX IT IF THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. SEEING THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND A KNOWN COMMON STRUCTURAL PROBLEM WITH THE CAR, IT WOULD SEEM TO ME THAT HONDA SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

THE DRIVER'S HEATED SEAT GOT SO HOT IT MELTED THE FOAM BACKING CAUSING A HORRIBLE SMELL. THE HEATED SEAT WAS TURNED OFF OR IT IS POSSIBLE IT WOULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE SEAT HEATED STILL WORKS BUT GETS MUCH TOO HOT. *TR

THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT ABRUPTLY FLIPPED UPWARD AND STARTLED THE DRIVER WITH MOMENTARY DISORIENTED AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. THE DEALER DENIED EVER WITNESSING THIS PROBLEM ON A HONDA PILOT, QUOTED $1500 TO REPLACE THE SEAT, AND COMMENTED I WAS A BIG GUY PUTTING A LOT OF STRESS ON THE SEAT. I AM 6'3" TALL AND 200 POUNDS. IT IS CLEAR THE HONDA DEALERSHIP AT DECATUR, ALABAMA DOES NOT FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND WENT ON TO BOAST HONDA IS THE ONLY COMPANY THAT REPLACES DEFECTIVE SEAT BELTS. MY WIFE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SAME DEALER COMPLAINING ABOUT THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT RANDOMLY LOCKING WHEN PULLING THE SAFETY BELT OUT FOR ENGAGEMENT AND LOCKING AND TIGHTENING RANDOMLY WHILE WEARING THE SEAT BELT WITH THE VEHICLE IN MOTION. THE DEALER MADE NO COMMENT TO THIS STATEMENT. A QUICK SEARCH ON THE INTERNET REVEALED OTHER HONDA PILOT OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THE BRACKET HOLDING THE FRONT LEFT CORNER OF THE DRIVER SEAT WAS BROKEN NEAR THE RIVETS THAT HOLD THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT. THIS IS THE SAME DEFECT WE HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH OUR FRONT DRIVER SEAT WHERE THE FRONT LEFT BRACKET HOLDING THE SEAT TO THE ADJUSTMENT RAIL IS COMPLETELY TORN THE FULL LENGTH OF THE SEAT BOTTOM MOUNTING BRACKET. WE FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND THE DEALER CLEARLY DOES NOT SUPPORT THAT IDEA. MY WIFE AND I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED A SEAT BREAKING IN SUCH A MANNER IN ANY VEHICLE WE HAVE OWNED. *TR

THE DRIVER LEFT SEAT SUPPORT METAL BROKE OFF LEAVING THE SEAT UNATTACHED TO THE FRAME. THE SEAT MOVES FORWARD AND BACK. THIS IS A DESIGN AND MANUFACTURER DEFECT. HONDA WILL NOT REPLACE THE SEAT AT NO COST AND WILL NOT ASSIGN A RECALL. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND HONDA SHOULD TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPLACEMENT BEFORE AN ACCIDENT CAUSES UNNECESSARY INJURY TO THE DRIVER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ADDING GASOLINE TO THE FUEL TANK IT WOULD SPILL OUT PREVENTING THE CONTACT FROM ADDING FUEL TO ITS CAPACITY. WHILE INSIDE THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT ALSO SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE GASOLINE VALVE CAUSED THE FAILURE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED IMMEDIATELY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS LATER CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. UPDATED 2/25/13 *CN THE RV VALVE WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER A YEAR. HONDA COULD NOT GIVE HER A DEFINITIVE ANSWER AS TOW HAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO COMPLETELY FILL THE GAS TANK. UPDATED 03/07/13

THE DRIVERS SEAT OVER HEATS TO THE POINT OF BEING UNCOMFORTABLE ON MY RIGHT LEG. IT IS NOW INOPERABLE. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL. THERE SEEMS TO ME A NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINS ON EDMUNDS THREADERS DISCUSSION BOARD. THE BOTTOM POINT IS THEY WILL NOT ACT ON THIS ISSUE UNLESS THEY ARE REQUIRED TO DO SO BY YOUR ORGANIZATION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED IN A PARKING SPACE, THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT SHE HAD NOT SHIFTED THE GEAR IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BRAKE SWITCH WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. UPDATED 12/28/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED PREVIOUSLY. UPDATED 01/09/13

DRIVERS SIDE BACK POWERED WINDOW DOES NOT WORK. IT WENT DOWN AUTOMATICALLY AND DOES NOT GO UP WHILE DRIVING AUTOMATICALLY. ALMOST CAUSED A CAR CRASH. *TR

TO START OFF I BOUGHT MY PILOT USED FROM HONDA WITH ABOUT 83,000 MILES ON IT A YEAR AGO. WHEN I DRIVE MY CAR AT A STEADY 30MPH TO 45MPH IT SHUTTERS AND MAKES NOISES AS IF I'M DRIVING OVER ROAD TURTLES. IT'S VERY VIOLENT UNTIL I LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR. I TALKED TO HONDA AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER. I ASKED IF IT HAD BEEN RECALLED AND THEY TOLD ME THERE HAD NEVER BEEN A RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSION. I KNOW THAT'S NOT TRUE AND THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IT'S MINE AND MY WIFE'S ONLY CAR RIGHT NOW. IT'S A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT IS VERY UNSAFE FOR MY FAMILY AND COULD CAUSE A CRASH. THERE FAULTY TRANSMISSION PUTS MY FAMILIES LIFE IN DANGER EVERY TIME WE DRIVE IT. HONDA SHOULD TAKE CARE OF US FREE OF COST DO TO THERE DEFECTIVE PARTS THAT ARE NOT BECAUSE OF NORMAL WEAR. THEY ALSO SHOULD HAVE NEVER SOLD US THE PILOT WITHOUT FIXING THE KNOWN FAULTY TRANSMISSION. I BELIEVE IT'S ILLEGAL BY FEDERAL LAW TO SELL IT KNOWING THERE IS A FAULTY TRANSMISSION AND RECALL WITH OUT ADDRESSING IT AND FIXING IT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 TO 40 MPH THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE SHUDDERS VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

PULLED VEHICLE INTO A SERVICE SHOP. TURNED OFF VEHICLE AND REMOVED KEY FROM IGNITION TO TAKE KEY OFF RING FOR TECHNICIAN. VEHICLE WAS NOT IN PARK BUT STILL IN DRIVE EVEN THOUGH I WAS ABLE TO REMOVE KEY. A MINUTE AFTER LEAVING VEHICLE CAR ROLLED DOWN SLIGHT INCLINE AND INTO AND ACROSS 3 LANES OF BUSY 40MPH TRAFFIC. TWO VEHICLES SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES AMAZINGLY MISSING BROADSIDING THE VEHICLE. A SECOND CHANGE IN THE TIMING WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY RESULTED IN THREE CAR ACCIDENT AND POTENTIALLY SERIOUS INJURIES. *TR

I HAVE NOTICED WHEN MY PILOT GETS BELOW 50 MPH IT GETS A SHUDDERING TO IT (NOT ALWAYS BUT MOST TIMES DRIVING IN THE CITY), ALMOST LIKE ITS DRIVING OVER A WASHBOARD. DURING A VISIT TO THE DEALERSHIP I TALKED TO ANOTHER HONDA PILOT OWNER WHO WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING BUT THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT TELL HER WHAT THE ISSUE WAS. SO AFTER MORE INVESTIGATING SHE TOOK IT TO A NON-HONDA REPAIR PERSON WHO TOLD HER THE PROBLEM LIES WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND TO USE A PRODUCT CALLED SHUDDER FIX. MY QUESTION IS IF HONDA IS HAVING THESE COMPLAINTS WHY ARE THEY NOT FIXING THIS ISSUE AND STILL SELLING THESE VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM? I LOVE MY HONDA OTHER THAN THAT, BUT FEEL THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE WORKMANSHIP. *TR

TRANSMISSION MADE A VERY LOUD NOISE WHEELS LOCKED UP, AND TRANS LOST FLUID THROUGH THE DRIVERS SIDE. UPON CLOSER EXAMINATION I FOUND THAT THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION CASE HAD SMALL CRACKS AND THE TRANS WOULD LOCK-UP AS IF THERE WAS SOMETHING IN THE GEARS LIKE A BOLT OR PIN OF SORTS IF DRIVEN EVEN A COUPLE OF FEET. COMPLETE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED, CONTACTED DEALER NO COVERAGE FROM HONDA. *TR

OFTEN DURING REFUELING OF MY VEHICLE THE GAS PUMP SHUTS OFF AFTER A FEW MOMENTS OF REFUELING. AT TIMES, THE GASOLINE BACKS UP IN THE TUBE AND SPEWS BACK OUT ONTO THE VEHICLE AND THE GROUND DESPITE HAVING A NEAR EMPTY FUEL TANK . IT HAS BECOME NECESSARY TO SQUEEZE THE PUMP HANDLE LIGHTLY AND TRICKLE THE GASOLINE INTO THE FUEL TANK. I HAVE ALSO FOUND THIS TO OCCUR AT DIFFERENT GAS STATIONS AS WELL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE INTO THIS MATTER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY CAME OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE. THE CONTACT WAS IN A RUSH AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACK INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS ONE CYLINDER IGNITION AND IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT STATED THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

APPARENTLY I DID NOT PLACE THE CAR IN PARK BUT WAS ABLE TO TAKE THE KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION. LEFT THE CAR AND WHEN I CAME BACK TO THE CAR, THE CAR HAD ROLLED BACKWARD AND CRASHED INTO BUSHES WHICH STOPPED THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE. I NOW MAKE SURE I ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE TO MAKE SURE THE CAR DOES NOT ROLL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THE INNER CUSHION UNDERNEATH THE DRIVERS SEAT OVER HEATED AND WAS BURNING. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.